How The A1c Test Works

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The A1C test is defined as: A test that measures how much glucose has been sticking during the past 3-4 months to hemoglobin, the substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to the cells of the body. It can also be used to give you an idea about how good you are doing to manage the condition. The A1C test is important in diabetes as a long-term measure of control over blood glucose. Even outside of diabetes, an elevated A1C level may be a cardiovascular risk factor.

Basically, the test will show the average blood sugar over a two to three month period of time. This is a great deal of help to health care providers, as it tells them how much of hemoglobin, the blood protein, is coated or glycated with sugar.

Those that have been diagnosed pre-diabetic or diabetic have high risks for complications when their A1C Test has high levels. In the past, a number of 7 was the diabetes threshold. That meant that if your A1C was around 6.7, you would be considered pre-diabetic. Now, that is no longer the case. Doctors have agreed to lower the levels, and a number of 6.5 is considered to be the new threshold for diabetes. Anyone that is close to those levels should do what they can to keep their blood sugar levels in check. The good news is keeping your blood sugar down isnt the most challenging thing to do.

To keep your A1C Test levels down, you should start by managing your diet. Carbohydrates like starches and sugars are what make up your blood's sugar levels. For diabetics, it is important to cut out white foods like rice, bread, pies, cakes, and potatoes. That's not all you should do, though. It is recommended that you start getting some type of cardiovascular exercise as often as you can. That might be something as simple as going on a thirty minute walk each day. Some people prefer to join their local gym. Doing those things, along with taking the necessary insulin shot or medication, should help to keep you healthy.

Overall, the A1C Test is an important tool for those with diabetes and those that could get it. Use it to see where your blood sugar levels have been, and use that as a guide for how you should be eating and to encourage you to start exercising.

About the Author:
For more information on how to effectively manage diabetes the natural way starting today, visit www.myiho.com/orlandodiabetesproject. Dr. Marc Ott, DC offers effective solutions to help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Visit Integrated Health of Orlando to learn more about how you can begin to manage your diabetes as we are dedicated towards providing effective diabetes solutions to our patients.



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